American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson has been abducted in Baghdad by individuals linked to an Iran-aligned militia, according to Iraqi officials and U.S. sources.
Kittleson, who was working in Iraq for the independent media outlet Al-Monitor, was reportedly kidnapped on the evening of March 31, 2026, in central Baghdad. Local reports suggest she was taken near a hotel area in the city center.
Iraqi police and security forces have launched an investigation and confirmed efforts are underway to locate the missing journalist. Authorities have also detained one suspect following a car chase, with Iraqi Interior Ministry officials stating that the individual is believed to have connections to an Iran-backed militia group.
A U.S. State Department official, speaking to ABC News, indicated that the arrested suspect has links to Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned armed group operating in Iraq. The U.S. State Department has acknowledged awareness of the incident and said it is coordinating with Iraqi authorities and the FBI to secure her release.
In a statement on social media, a senior U.S. State Department official confirmed that prior warnings had been issued regarding threats against the individual and emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure her safe recovery, without initially disclosing her identity.
Al-Monitor has called for Kittleson’s safe return, while unverified footage circulating in regional media appears to show the abduction taking place on a street outside a central Baghdad hotel.
The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Iraq, where armed groups and militia-linked actors continue to operate despite government efforts to stabilize the country.